Easy opening closure for tapered containers



Aug. 20, 1968 R. w. MELTON 3,397,303

EASY OPENING CLOSURE FOR TAPERED CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18, 1966 INVENTOR ROGER W. MELTON ATTORNEX S g- 20, 1963 R. w. MELTON 3,397,8@3

EASY OPENING CLOSURE FOR TAPERED CONTAINERS Filed March 18, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7O 67 3 77 76 '73 INVENTOR ROGER W. MELTON ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,397,803 EASY OPENING CLOSURE FOR TAPERED CONTAINERS Roger W. Melton, Waukegan, 11]., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N .Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 18, 1966', Ser. No. 535,445

19 Claims. (Cl. 215-95) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A container having an upwardly flaring upper riin has a closure overlying the rim. A retaining ring is telescoped upwardly over the container into wedging engagement with the rim'. The ring is secured to the closure by means which may be ruptured to enable removal of the closure from the container.

This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in closures for containers, and more particularly to a novel easy opening closure which is specifically adapted for use in closing the upper end of a tapered container body. 7

It is well known that in sealing an open end of a container, a closure member is applied thereto and retained in place by interlocking the closure member either directly with the container or by means of a retaining ring. However, when the container presents only a tapered outer surface it has been very diflicult to permanently retain a closure in place on such a tapered container. In view of this, it is the primary object of this invention'to provide a novel retaining ring which utilizes the taper of the container for retaining the retaining ring in place on the container.

Another object of this invention is to providea novel closure assembly for a container which has an upwardly flaring outer rim portion, the closure including a closure disc adapted to seat on the upperend of the container and a retaining ring which is wedgeable on the rim portion of the container and has an upper portion which is crimpable over the closure disc.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel closure assembly for a container which has an upwardly flaring outer rim portion, the closure includinga closure disc adapted to seat on the upper end of the container, the closure disc including a peripheral portion which'is either solely in overlying relationship to the container outer rim portion, is in internal telescopic relationship to the rim portion, is in outer telescopic relationship to the rim portion, or is in both inner and outer telescopic relationship to the outer rim portion, and in each case a retaining ring is provided which is wedgeable on the container or the peripheral portion of the closure for retain ing the closure disc and container in assembled relationship.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel method of securing a closure disc to a tapered container of the tumbler type, the method including the steps of applying the closure disc to a container, upwardly wedging a retaining ring around the upper portion of the container, and then crimping an upstanding portion of the retaining ring into overlying relation with respect to the closure disc so as to interlock the closure disc with the tumbler.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a container 3,397,803 Patented Aug. 20, 1968 formed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a retaining ring wedgeably secured to an upper end portion of a container body and a closure disc secured thereto.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, and illustrates an axially depending tab of the retaining ring which is removable to release the wedging engagement between the retaining ring and the container body.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, and more clearly illustrates the depending tab and lines of weakening formed in the retaining ring.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view with parts broken away for clarity of the container of FIG- URE 1, and illustrates the removal of the closure and retaining ring upon the removal of the depending tab.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of a container similar to the container of FIG- URE 1, and illustrates a retaining ring provided with a removable portion for releasing the retaining ring and an associated closure from the wedging engagement thereof with a container body.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of another container constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a retaining ring thereof provided with a removable tab for releasing the wedging engagement between the retaining ring and an upper portion of the container.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 77 of FIGURE 6, and more clearly illustrates the construction of the removable tab.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of another container constructed in accordance with this -invention, and illustrates a tear-tab formed in a retaining ring for rupturing the retaining ring incident to an opening operation.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective View of the container of FIGURE 8, and illustrates the pull tab bent away from the plane of the retaining ring just prior to an opening operation.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through another container of this invention generally along a line corresponding to the line 22 of FIGURE 1, and illustrates a modified form of closure which includes a depending internal skirt in spaced relationship to the periphery of the closure disk.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 10, and illustrates another container provided with a retaining ring having a portion crimped into overlying relationship to a closure.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURES 10 and 11, and illustrates another container which includes a retaining ring having a crimped portion received in a peripheral slot of a closure.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURES 10 through 12, and illustrates another container which includes a retaining ring in overying relationship to a closure which is both in internally telescopic and axially overlying relationship to an upper rim of the container.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURES 10 through 13, and illustrates a peripheral portion of a closure sandwiched between an upper rim of a container body and a crimped portion of a retaining ring.

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURES 10 through 14, and illustrates another container in which both a peripheral skirt of a closure and a retaining ring are in downwardly converging relationship relative to the container axis.

FIGURE 16 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to sure skirt in sandwiched relationship to a container body upper rim and a retaining ring.

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURES through 17, and illustrates another container having a closure provided with a pair of depending peripheral skirts receiving the rim of a container body and a retaining ring in external telescopic relationship thereto.

FIGURE 19 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURES 10 through 18, and illustrates another container having a retaining ring sandwiched between an upper rim of a container body and a depending peripheral skirt of a closure.

A novel container constructed in accordance with this invention is illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 20. The container 20 includes a container body 21 which is illustrated as being in the form of a tumbler, but which may be any type of container body which has an upwardly flaring upper rim portion or upper end portion 22. The upper end portion 22 of the container body 21 terminates in a lip 23 which gradually merges with respective inner and outer surfaces 24, 25 of the container body 21 (FIGURE 2). The container body 21 is closed at a lower end portion thereof by a bottom wall (not shown), while the upper rim portion or upper end portion 22 is closed by a closure or closure assembly which is generally designated by the reference numeral 30.

The closure assembly is of a two-part construction which includes a closure disc 31 and a retaining ring 32.

The closure disc 31 includes a central portion 29 from which rises a threaded neck 33 to which may be secured a closure cap (not shown). The closure disc 31 is generally dome-shaped in configuration and a peripheral edge portion 34 thereof flares generally radially outwardly and terminates in a terminal edge 35 (FIGURE 2). The closure disc 31 is preferably constructed from plastic material, such as polyethylene, and may be formed by conventional molding operations, such as an injection molding operation. If desired, the closure 31 may also be constructed from metallic or paperstock material, depending primarily upon the use to which the container 20 is intended and the particular type of product (not shown) which is intended to be dispensed therefrom.

The retaining ring or locking ring 32 is an annular band of metallic, plastic or paperstock material and includes an inner surface 36, an outer surface 37, an uppermost edge 38 (FIGURE 1) and a lower edge 39. The outer surface 37 is preferably knurled or roughened (FIGURE 1) while the inner surface 36 is smooth and unbroken. A finger-gripping tab projects axially downwardly from the lower edge 39 of the retaining ring 32. The tab 40 is an integral portion of the retaining ring 32 and functions to facilitate the removal of the closure assembly 30 from the container body 21 in a manner which will be more apparent hereafter. A pair of weakening or score lines 41, 42 (FIGURE 1) are formed in the outer surface 37 of the retaining ring 32 along each side of the tab 40 between the edges 38, 39. As is best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the terminal edge 35 of the closure disc 31 is in contact with the inner surface 36 of the retaining band 32 and a peripheral bead of adhesive 'or similar bonding material 43 secures the outer edge of the peripheral edge portion 34 to the inner surface 36 of the retaining band 32.

As is best illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 4 of the drawings, sealing compound S is positioned between the lip 23 of the container body 21 and the peripheral portion 34 of the closure disc 31. While sealing compound S is so positioned in a preferred form of the invention, it is to .h .u de st d tha the sealing c mp und S if sired, be eliminated.

The container 20 of FIGURE 1 is assembled by first applying the sealing compound S upon the lip 23 of the container body 21 or to the under surface of the peripheral portion'34 of the closure disc 31 after which the latter is seated upon the lip 23. Thereafter the retaining ring 32 is slipped upwardly on the container body 21 until the surface 36 isin binding wedging engagement with the outer surface ,25 of the container body 21 adjacent the upper end portion 22. The surface 36 of the retaining ring 32 is illustrated as being tapered, but it is to be under.- stood that the surface 36 can be a right cylindrical surface and still effect a wedgi'ng action with the upper rim portion 22. The retaining ring 32 and the upper rim portion 22 of the container body 21 are so dimensioned that the retaining ring .32 is wedged in place after a portion thereof has projected upwardly beyond the lip 23, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. In this position the peripheral edge 35 of the closure disc 31 is in abutting relationship to the inner surface 36 of the retaining ring 32. Thereafter, the closure 31 is secured to the retaining ring 32 by the adhesive 43. The line of adhesive 43 is preferably a weld which is capable of progressively rupturing along the line of abutment between the peripheral edge 35 of the closure 31 and the inner surface 36 of the retaining ring 32. V The closure assembly 30 is removed from the container body 21- by grasping the tab 40 and lifting the same away from the body 21 in the direction of the unnumbered headed arrow in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. This action causes-the retaining ring 32 to sever along the weakened lines 41, 42 and the entire tab 40 is removed causing the formation. of a slot or gap 44 (FIGURE 4) in the retaining ring 32. The retaining ring 32 is now free to deflect radially outwardly and does so upon being urged upwardly by a persons fingers in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE 4 of the drawings. Since only the tab 40 is removed during the opening .of the container 20, the closure assembly 30 may be reapplied to the container body 21and retained in position by the retaining ring 32 exteriorly gripping the upper end portion 22.

In addition to removing only the tab 40 the entire retaining ring 32 can be removed from the closure disc 31 by merely grasping the retaining ring 32 adjacent the slot 44 and tearing the same about the periphery of the closure disc to cause the progressive rupture of the bond or weld 43. In this case one of the weakened lines 41, 42 is preferably eliminated and the removal of the retaining ring 32 is accomplished in one motion by merely grasping the tab 40, lifting the same in the manner shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawing, and pulling the tab 40 to progressively remove the retaining ring 32 as the weld 43 progressively ruptures.

A'modifica-tion of the retaining ring 32 is illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 45. The retaining ring 45 is similar to the retaining ring 32 and includes a downwardly directed projecting tab 46. However, in lieu of the weakening .or score lines 41, 42 which are generally parallel to'the axis of the container 20, the retaining ring 45 includes a pair of angular-1y disposed parallel score lines 47, 48. The score lines 47, 48 extend between upper and lower edges (unnumbered) of the retaining ring 45 and, upon the tearing or removal of the tab 46 a generally inclined slot or gap (not shown) is formed to facilitate the removal of a closure from 'a container with which the retaining ring 45 is associated. The weakening line 47 may be eliminated in accordance with this invention to permit the unified progressive removal of the retaining ring 45 along a weld (not shown) corresponding to the weld 43 in the manner heretofore described.

Another retaining ring constructed in accordance with this invention is illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7 of the drawings, and is generally referred to by'the reference numeral 50. The retaining ring 50 includes a section 51 between a pair of parallel axially extending weakening or score lines 52, 53. A terminal portion 54 of the tab 51 is curved convexly downwardly and undercut, as indicated at 55 in FIGURE 7. The undercutting and curvature permits the tab 51 to be readily grasped, torn and removed by a single finger of an operator.

Another novel retaining ring constructed in accordance with this invention is illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9 of the drawings, and is generally referred to by the reference numeral 56. The retaining ring 56 is generally identical to the retaining rings 32, 45 except for the particular formation of a tab or pull tab element 57 thereof. The tab 57 is defined by a generally reversed C-shaped line of severance 58 which passes completely through the material of the retaining ring 56. The severance line 58 terminates at diverging score lines 59, 60. If desired, a recess or slot 61 may be formed in the retaining ring 56 to facilitate the grasping of the pull tab 57 and the movement thereof to the position illustrated in FIGURE 9 after which subsequent pulling or drawing to the left in this figure causes the retaining ring 56 to rupture along the weakening lines 59, 60. Progressive removal of the retaining ring from a closure (unnumbered) can be effected in the manner heretofore described, and a further description thereof is believed unnecessary for a full understanding of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE of the drawings, a container is generally referred to by the reference numeral 63 and includes a closure assembly 64 defined by a closure disc 65 and a retaining ring 66. The container 63 differs from the container 20 only in the particular construction of a peripheral portion 67 of the closure disc 65. The peripheral portion 67 flares radially outwardly and terminates at a terminal edge 68 in abutment with an inner surface (unnumbered) of the retaining ring 66, in much the same manner as the peripheral portion 34 of the closure disc 31. A peripheral weld or similar bond 70 is employed to maintain the closure disc 65 and the retaining ring 66 in assembled relationship. A downwardly depending peripheral skirt 71 forms an integral part of the peripheral portion 67 and is received in internal telescopic relationship within the upper end portion (unnumbered) of the container 63. Sealing compound S is disposed between the peripheral skirt 71 and the upper rim (unnumbered) of the container 63 in the manner clearly illustrated in FIGURE 10 of the drawings.

The closure assembly 64 is secured to the container 63 in the manner heretofore described, and the retaining ring 66 is also removed in the manner heretofore described. However, it should be noted that upon the removal .of the retaining ring 66, the closure disc 65 can be reapplied to the container 63 with the peripheral skirt 71 serving to locate the closure disc 65 upon the upper end of the container. Inadvertent or accidental disassembly of the closure disc 65 and the container 63 is thereby avoided after the retaining ring 66 has been once removed.

Referring now to FIGURE 11 of the drawings, a container body 72 is closed by a closure assembly 73 which includes a closure disc 74 and the retaining ring 75. The container body 72 and the closure disc 74 correspond to the respective components 21, 31 of the container 20. Sealing compound S is also disposed between a peripheral edge portion 76 of the closure disc 74 and an upper rim (unnumbered) of the container body 72. The retaining ring 75 is provided with an upper radially inwardly turned or crimped portion 77 which initially projects upwardly beyond the peripheral portion 76 of the closure disc 74. However, upon the assembly of the components 74, 75 the axially upwardly projecting portion 77 is crimped or folded radially inwardly to the position illustrated in FIG- URE 11 to maintain the closure disc 74 and the retaining ring 75 in assembled relationship. This avoids the necessity .of providing adhesive or similar weld material between the components 74, 75 although this may, if desired,

be provided between the turned portion 77 of the retaining ring and the peripheral portion 76 of the closure disc 74.

The method of removing the retaining ring 75 is identical to that heretofore described, and a further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Another container 80 is illustrated in FIGURE 12 of the drawings, and includes a closure assembly 81 defined by a closure disc 82 and a retaining ring 83. The closure disc 82 corresponds somewhat to the closure disc 31 of the container 20. However, a peripheral portion 84 is provided with a peripheral groove which opens both peripherally outwardly and axially upwardly, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 85. Seated within the groove 85 is an inwardly directed peripheral portion 86 of the retaining ring 83. This construction provides a smooth uninterrupted surface between the retaining ring portion 86 and the peripheral portion 84, as opposed to the broken or stepped junction between the portion 77 (FIGURE 11), of the retaining ring 75 and the peripheral portion 76 of the closure disc 74. Sealing compound S is also disposed between the various components of the container 80 and the retaining ring 83 is assembled and removed in the manner heretofore fully discussed relative to the description of the container 20 of FIGURES 1 through 4.

Referring now to FIGURE 13 of the drawings, a container body 90 is illustrated being closed by a closure assembly 91 which includes a closure disc 92 and a retaining ring 93. The closure disc 92 includes a peripheral portion 94 which includes an annular wall 95 in internal telescopic relationship relative to the container body 90 and a radial wall 96 in overlying relationship to a lip (unnumbered) of the container body. The retaining ring 93 includes portions 97, 98 which are crimped or folded radially inwardly and downwardly respectively, into overlying clamping relationship to the respective walls 96, 95 of the closure disc 92. In this manner, the retaining ring 93 maintains the closure disc 92 in assembled relationship upon the container body 90 in the absence of a line of weld, adhesive or similar conventional bonding means, although the latter may be provided between the retaining ring 93 and the closure disc 92. Sealing compound S is disposed between the container body and the peripheral portion 94 of the closure disc 92 in the manner clearly illustrated in FIGURE 13.

The retaining ring 93 is preferably provided with a tab for effecting the easy removal thereof, such as any one of the tabs 40, 46, 51 and 57 and the associated weakening lines. However, in the case of the retaining ring 93 it is preferable but not necessary that the weakening lineS not only are formed in the portion of the retaining ring 93 externally of the outer surface of the container body 90, but are also continued across the portion 97 and the portion 98 to assure an exceptionally easy removal of the retaining ring 93.

Another container body is shown in FIGURE 14 of the drawings, and is generally referred to by the reference numeral 100. The container body 100 is closed by a closure assembly 101 which includes a closure disc 102 and a retaining ring 103. The closure disc 102 includes a central portion (unnumbered) and a peripheral portion 104 which is directed axially upwardly and is in internal telescopic relationship with respect to the container body 100. The retaining ring 103 is first curled or turned radially inwardly at 105 and thereafter axially downwardly at 106 to clamp the peripheral portion 104 of the closure disc 102 between the portion 106 and the upper rim portion (unnumbered) of the container body 100. Here again, a weld or similar bonding material may be employed to fixedly secure the portion 106 of the retaining ring 103 to the peripheral portion 104 of the closure disc 102. In addition, the container of FIGURE 14 has been illustrated in the absence of sealing compound to clearly illustrate the adaptability of each of the various embodiments of the invention for use in the absence of such sealing compound. However, should it be desired to include sealing compound in the container of FIGURE 14, the same would underlie the portion 105 of the retaining ring 103. I

The retaining ring 103 is also preferably provided with easy opening means of the type heretofore described in which score lines may or may not extend across the portion 105 and down the portion 106, as desired.

A container body 110 is illustrated in FIGURE of the drawings, and is closed by a closure assembly 111 which includes a closure disc 112 and a retaining ring 113. The closure assembly 11 differs from the closure assemblies heretofore described in two ways. First, a peripheral portion 114 of the closure disc 112 is directed downwardly and radially inwardly to define a generally frusto-conical depending peripheral skirt 115 terminating at a peripheral edge 116. The retaining ring 113 is also generally frusto-conical in configuration and an inner surface 117 thereof isslidable upon a complementary contoured outer surface 118 of the peripheral skirt 115. Sealing compound S is positioned between the peripheral portion 114, the peripheral skirt 115 and the container body 110.

The closure assembly 111 is secured to the container body 110 by, for example, first applying the sealing compound S to a lip (unnumbered) of the container body 110 after which the closure disc 112 is seated upon the container with the skirt 115 in external telescopic relationship thereto. Suitable means are provided for temporarily holding the closure disc 112 seated upon the container body 110 while the retaining ring 113 is slipped upwardly toward, upon and into wedging engagement with the peripheral skirt 115 of the closure disc 112, as well as with the container body 110, it being noted that the inner surface 117 of the retaining ring 113 bears against both the external surface 118 of the peripheral skirt 115 and the external surface (unnumbered) of the container body 110.

The retaining ring 113 may be removed in the manner heretofore described and provided with means for effecting the easy removal thereof. In addition, while no welding or bonding has been shown in FIGURE 15, it is to be understood that a peripheral weld or similar bonding may be provided.

Another container constructed in accordance with this invention is shown in FIGURE 16 of the drawings, and includes a container body 120 closed by a closure assembly 121 which includes a closure disc 122 and a retaining ring 123. The closure disc 122 includes a peripheral portion 124 terminating in an axially downwardly directed peripheral skirt 125 terminating in a peripheral edge 126.

The retaining ring 123 includes a radially inwardly directed preformed portion 127 terminating in an edge- 128 in bearing engagement with an outer surface (un-. numbered) of the container body 120. Sealing compound S is disposed between the peripheral portion 124 of the closure disc 122 and a lip (unnumbered) of the container body 120.

The container 120 and closure assembly 121 are assembled by first applying the sealing compound S to either the lip or the peripheral portion 124 and telescoping the peripheral wall or skirt 125 about the exterior of the container body 120. Thereafter the retaining ring 123 is slipped upwardly along the container body 120 with the edge 128 of the portion 127 in guiding engagement with the outer surface of the container body 120. The portion 127 thereby serves to locate the retaining ring 123 in exact spaced relationship to the container body 120 as the former is slipped upwardly into wedging clamping contact with the peripheral skirt 125. If desired, a peripheral weld or similar bond may be formed between the retaining ring 123 and the peripheral portion 124 of the closure disc 122.

The retaining ring 123- is provided with means for facilitating the rapid and easy removal thereof in the manner heretofore described relative to the container 20.

. Referring to FIGURE l7of the drawings in particular, a container body 130 is illustrated being closed by a closure assembly 131 which includes a closure disc 132 and a retainer ring 133. The closure disc 132 is identical to the closure disc 122 of the closure assembly 121. The retaining ring 133 is substantially similar to the retaining ring 123 of the closure assembly 121, but it is to be'noted that the latter includes the projecting portion 127 whereas the retaining ring 133 is merely an annular band'devoid of such a projection. Therefore, during the'upward sliding action of. the retaining ring 133 the latter must be accurately guided manually or automatically to the position illustrated in FIGURE 17 at which point the retaining ring 133 is in wedging locking relationship with a peripheral skirt 134 of the closure disc 132. The peripheral skirt 132 is thereby clampingly secured between the retaining ring 133 and an upper lip portion (unnumbered) of the container-body 130. Sealing compound S is disposed between the container body -lip (unnumbered) and the closure disc 132.

The provision of tab means as well as an area of weld or bond may be provided in the closure assembly 131, as desired.

Another container body is illustrated in FIGURE 18 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 140. The container body is closed by a closure assembly 141 which'includes a closure disc 142 and a retaining ring 143. The closure disc 142 includes a peripheral portion 144 having a pair of depending peripheral skirts 145, 146. The peripheral skirts 145, 146 define an annular downwardly opening peripheral groove or slot (unnumbered) into which is received the upper rim portion (unnumbered) of the container body 140. Sealing compound S is positioned in the slot, as is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 18.

The retaining ring 143 includes a tapered upper portion 147 which converges axially inwardly and downwardly and a lower tapered portion 148 which is more abruptly tapered radially inwardly and downwardly.

The retaining ring 143 is preferably provided with means corresponding to the means 40, 41 and 42 to effect the rapid and easy removal thereof prior to the removal of the closure disc 142. In addition, it should be noted that upon the reapplication of the closure disc 142 to the container body 140 an effective seal is achieved due to the staggering relationship of the peripheral skirts 145, 146 and the upper rim portion of the container.

A final embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURE 19 of the drawings, and includes a container 150 closed by a closure assembly 151 which includes a closure disc 152 and a retaining ring 153. The assembly of FIGURE 19 differs from the various closure assemblies heretofore described in that a peripheral portion 154 of the closure disc 152 terminates in a downwardly depend ing, converging peripheral skirt 155 which is in external telescopic relationship to the retaining ring 153. Sealing compound S is disposed between both the retaining ring 153, thecontainer 150 and the peripheral portion 154 of the closure disc 152.

The container body 150, closure disc 152 and retaining ring 153 are assembled in one of either two equally effective ways. The closure disc 152 can be first seated upon the container 150 and held thereon while the retaining ring 153 is. slipped'upwardly and forced between the peripheral skirt 155 and the container body 150 atwhich time the skirt 155 will deflect slightly radially outwardly to accommodate the retaining ring 153 and the latter will wedgingly engage the upper rim portion (un-.

numbered) of the container body.

155 in external telescopic relationship to the retaining ring 153. The closure disc 152 is then forced downwardly while the retaining ring 153 is simultaneously forced upwardly causing the eventual wedging' engagement between the retaining ring 153, the peripheral skirt 155 and the container body 150. v V I The retaining ring 153 is preferably provided with tab and weakening lines corresponding to the elements 40, 41 and 42 of the container 20. However, since the retaining ring 153 underlies the peripheral skirt155, the latter is also preferably provided with score lines which overlie the score lines formed in the retaining ring 153. Thus, by tearing a portion of the retaining ring 153 an overlying and similarly weakened portion of the peripheral skirt 155 would also be torn, thereby permitting a section of the retaining ring 153 to be removed to facilitate the removal of the closure assembly 151. While various preferred forms of the invention have been heretofore described, it is to be understood that various other modifications may be made to the disclosed structures and are considered to be within the scope of this invention. For example, it is possible to interchange many of the closure discs and many of the retaining rings of this invention. Furthermore, while each of the retaining rings are preferably tapered or frusto-conical in outline, each of the retaining rings can be perfectly cylindrical.

In each case it may or may not be desirable to fuse, weld or bond the retaining rings to the closure discs to form the various closure assemblies of this invention. Such welding or bonding is, however, in most cases desirable between the retaining rings and the closure discs. Additional bonding could, if desired, be provided between the retaining rings and the containers of FIGURES 2, 10, 11 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 19 of the drawings. Adhesive bonding may also be provided between the closures and the containers of each of the illustrated embodiments as, for example, is readily apparent by substituting adhesive for the sealing compound S in each instance.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel and advantageous provisions have been made for carrying out the desired end. However, attention is again directed to the fact that additional variations may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container comprising a container body having an upwardly flaring upper rim portion, a closure closing the upper end of said container body, and a retaining ring telescoped over said container body rim portion and holding said closure in place, said retaining ring being in wedging engagement with said container body rim portion, and means permanently irremovably securing said closure to said retaining ring whereby said closure and retaining ring can not be separated without rupture of said means.

2. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein an uppermost annular portion of said retaining ring projects completely axially about a terminal axial edge of said container body, and said securing means secures said closure to said annular portion.

3. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said retaining ring is constructed from rupturable material, and means are provided for removing only a portion of said retaining ring to facilitate the simultaneous removal of said closure and the remaining portion of said retaining ring from said container body.

4. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, the peripheral portion terminates in a terminal edge, said peripheral portion being in overlying relationship to said upper end of the container body, said terminal edge being in abutment with an inner circumferential surface of said retaining ring, an uppermost surface of said peripheral portion being in generally coplanar relationship to an upper surface of said retaining ring, a peripheral weld bridging said last-mentioned surfaces and retaining said closure secured to said retaining ring, a downwardly depending peripheral skirt forming an integral portion of said peripheral portion, said peripheral skirt terminating at a free terminal end in downwardly axially spaced relationship relative to said peripheral portion, and an upper portion of said rim being sandwiched between said retaining ring and said peripheral skirt.

5. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said retaining ring is provided with a projecting tab, said tab being joined to said retaining ring adjacent at least one weakened line traversing said retaining ring whereby de fiection of said tab breaks the retaining ring at said weakened line.

6. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said retaining ring is provided with means facilitating the manual rupturing thereof.

7. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, said peripheral portion being in overlying relationship to an upper terminal edge of said rim portion, and said retaining ring being in overlying relationship to a portion of said peripheral portion.

8. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said rupture facilitating means includes a pull element defined by a severance line, said severance line having terminal ends wholly located in said retaining ring, and weakened lines associated with each terminal severance line end whereby upon the bending and subsequent pulling of said pull element said retaining ring will fracture along said weakened lines.

9. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, said peripheral portion defining a peripheral skirt in telescopic relationship relative to said upper rim portion, and said peripheral skirt being sandwiched between said upper rim portion and at least a portion of said retaining ring.

10. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said peripheral portion terminates in a terminal edge, and said terminal edge being in circumferential abutment with an inner surface of said retaining ring.

11. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said peripheral portion terminates in a terminal edge, a peripheral depending skirt integrally joined to said peripheral portion radially inwardly of said terminal edge, and said upper rim portion being sandwiched between said retaining ring and said peripheral skirt.

12. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said peripheral portion terminates in a terminal edge, said peripheral portion being in overlying relationship to said upper end of the container body, said terminal edge being in abutment with an inner surface of said retainer ring, and a portion of said retaining ring being folded into overlying relationship to said peripheral portion whereby the latter is sandwiched between said upper rim portion and said retaining ring.

13. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said peripheral portion terminates in a terminal edge being in abutment with an inner surface of said retaining ring, an upper surface of said peripheral portion being provided with a peripheral slot, and a portion of said retaining ring being folded into said peripheral slot whereby the peripheral portion is sandwiched between the upper rim portion and said retaining ring.

14. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said peripheral portion terminates in a terminal edge, said peripheral portion being both in internal telescopic and axially overlying relationship to said upper rim portion, and a portion of said retaining ring being folded into overlying relationship to said peripheral portion whereby the latter is sandwiched between the upper rim portion and said retaining ring.

15. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said terminal portion termintes in a terminal edge, said peripheral portion being in internal telescopic relationship to said upper rim portion, and a portion of said retaining ring being folded radially inwardly and axially downwardly into overlying relationship to said peripheral portion whereby the latter is sandwiched between the upper rim portion and said retaining ring.

16. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said peripheral portion terminates. in a terminal edge, said peripheral portion including a depending peripheral skirt in external telescopic relationship to said upper rim portion, said retaining ring being in external telescopic relationship to said peripheral skirt whereby the latter is sandwiched between the upper rim portion and the retaining ring, and a lower portion of the retaining ring is turned radially inwardly into underlying relationship to the terminal edge of the peripheral portion.

17. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said peripheral portion terminates in a terminal edge, said peripheral portion including a depending peripheral skirt in external telescopic relationship to said upper rim portion, said retaining ring being in external telescopic relationship to said peripheral skirt whereby the latter is sandwiched between the upper rim portion and the re taining ring, a lower portion of the retaining ring is turned radially inwardly into underlying relationship to the terminal edge of the peripheral portion, said pe ripheral portion includes another depending peripheral skirt spaced radially inwardly of said first-mentioned peripheral skirt, and said upper rim portion is sandwiched between said peripheral skirts. A

18. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein sai closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said peripheral portion terminates in a terminal edge, said peripheral portion including a depending peripheral skirt in external telescopic relationship to said upper rim portion, said retaining ring being in external telescopic relationship to said peripheral skirt whereby the latter is sandwiched between the upper rim portion and the retaining ring, said peripheral portion includes another depending peripheral skirt spaced radially inwardly of said first-mentioned. peripheral skirt, and said upper rim portion is sandwiched between said peripheral skirts.

19. The container as defined in claim 6 wherein said closure includes a central portion and a peripheral portion outwardly of said central portion, said peripheral portion terminates in a depending peripheral skirt, said skirt being in overlying external telescopic relationship to said retaining ring. 1

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 228,031 5/ 1880 Broughton 220-53 781,534 1/ 1905 Landsberger 215'-95 1,613,826 l/1927 Hind 215- X 1,885,687 11/1932 Crabb 21595 2,151,690 3/1939 Colby 215-- 95 FOREIGN PATENTS 996,153 8/1951 France 1,013,881 5/1952 France.

DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner. 

